ViGiLO - Din l-Art Ħelwa
ISSUE 56 • NOVEMBER 2021
53
ST JEROME BACK IN HIS NICHE at Our Lady of Victory church in Valletta
T
he prominent painting of St Jerome at Our Lady of Victory church in Valletta, was happily reinstated into its niche in September 2021, after a year of absence during which repair and restoration was carried out by conservator Amy Sciberras. The restoration of this work of art, organised by Din l-Art Ħelwa, was made possible with the support of PwC Malta. It was planned to coincide with the years of guardianship of the church by Din l-Art Ħelwa, and the start of this phase of restorations in 2012. The conclusion of the restoration of this painting also marked another victory for conservation in September, the month when Victory Day is celebrated throughout the island. This eighteenth-century painting of St Jerome was found in a neglected state, with its canvas lacerated in parts and sagging at its frame. The saint, renowned for having been the first to translate the Bible into Latin, is seen with his traditional attributes of skull, psalms, stone and horn, and with a brilliant red robe. This work is believed to have been painted in the style of Mattia Preti purposely for its niche in this church. Present to mark its restoration was David Valenzia, Territory Senior Partner of PwC Malta. He noted how proud the firm was to see the significant improvements Din l-Art Ħelwa had made over the years to enhance this important church in Valletta. Simone Mizzi, Secretary General of Din l-Art Ħelwa, thanked PwC Malta for their commitment, adding that the example of such a prominent firm as PwC had served as a catalyst to others in the business community ever since 2003 when PwC had first come to the assistance of this church. Council Member of Din l-Art Ħelwa, Josie Ellul Mercer and the church custodian, Mario Sciberras, along with conservator Amy Sciberras and Din l-Art Ħelwa volunteers, were present together with experts from the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, Cetty Parisi and Yasmin Cassar who assisted in guiding the painting back into place. n
Right: David Valenzia and Din l-Art Ħelwa mark the conclusion of the restoration of St Jerome Far right: St Jerome being raised into place Below: St Jerome back in his niche at Our Lady of Victory church
